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Overview

In Species of Origins, Karl W. Giberson and Donald A. Yerxa examine America's controversial conversation about creation and evolution. While noting that part of the discord stems from the growing cultural and religious diversity of the United States, they argue powerfully that the real issue is the headlong confrontation between two seemingly incompatible worldviews upon which millions of Americans rely: modern naturalistic science and traditional Judeo-Christian religions.

Editorial Reviews

Choice

The single most comprehensive examination of the contemporary debate between religion and science about the origins of life and of the universe. Highly recommended.

Archives Internationales D'histoire Des Sciences

Giberson and Yerxa do an excellent job of reporting on the ongoing debate, and they are admirably fair to all parties. The conversation (or the shouting match) is over origins is not likely to disappear in the near future, and anyone interested in the relation between science and society cannot afford to miss this book. It is not only the best-written and most perceptive of the current accounts available, it would also make an ideal textbook for a course on science and religion or a course in intellectual history.
— William R. Shea

Research News

A simply invaluable primer on the subject that should be made compulsory reading for all who have ever taught on science and religion. I can think of no better place to start into the debate about origins—creationism or evolution—than with this book.
— Michael Ruse

Reports of The National Center For Science Education

Careful and balanced discussion of the various modes of thought concerning creation.

Books & Culture

Species of Origins provides Christian students with a portal into the origins debate that swirls about them in college and church discussion groups. Issues are presented from a perspective that evangelical Protestants can appreciate. By not taking a stand in the end, the book leaves students free to adopt their own reconciliation of science with religion in the light of greater understanding of the alternatives.

Singing News

Karl Giberson and Donald Yerxa provide a thorough and balanced history of creation/evolution debate in America. Anyone interested in understanding the history and current status of the creation/evolution debate in America will find Species of Origins an invaluable addition to their library.

World

Provides a sensible overview of the debate.

History and Philosophy Of The Life Sciences

In an engaging and accessible manner Giberson and Yerxa illuminate the standard positions and prominent figures in the debates surrounding evolution and creationism….Though the path forward may be muddied, understanding how we got to this position is invaluable and this book is an asset to this endeavor.

CHOICE

The single most comprehensive examination of the contemporary debate between religion and science about the origins of life and of the universe. Highly recommended.

Ronald L. Numbers

All too often, writings on creation and evolution have been marred by special pleading, ignorance, or a lack of civility. Giberson (a scientist) and Yerxa (a historian) have collaborated to produce the most accessible, accurate, and even-handed introduction to the subject that I have read in a long time.

John C. Greene

This book is the most comprehensive analytical survey of the various positions with respect to the evolution-creation issue known to me. It is lucidly written, well balanced, sociologically informed, and humanely aimed at promoting empathetic understanding of the clashing world views of a deeply divided American public.

Keith Ward

An excellent survey of modern religious and anti-religious debates on the origins of the universe. It can be highly commended as providing a balanced, readable and comprehensive account of the debate and its leading proponents.

Archives Internationales D'histoire Des Sciences
- William R. Shea

Giberson and Yerxa do an excellent job of reporting on the ongoing debate, and they are admirably fair to all parties. The conversation (or the shouting match) is over origins is not likely to disappear in the near future, and anyone interested in the relation between science and society cannot afford to miss this book. It is not only the best-written and most perceptive of the current accounts available, it would also make an ideal textbook for a course on science and religion or a course in intellectual history.

Alister McGrath

Yerxa and Giberson are to be commended on their superb and highly readable accounts of modern American debates over creation. An essential resource for anyone wanting to understand what is at stake, and how the various options shape up.

William A. Dembski

A refreshing book that transcends the stereotypes and caricatures so common to the controversy over biological origins. If you really want to understand America's search for a creation story, read Giberson and Yerxa.

Research News
- Michael Ruse

A simply invaluable primer on the subject that should be made compulsory reading for all who have ever taught on science and religion. I can think of no better place to start into the debate about origins—creationism or evolution—than with this book.

Reports Of The National Center For Science Education

Careful and balanced discussion of the various modes of thought concerning creation.

Books and Culture

Species of Origins provides Christian students with a portal into the origins debate that swirls about them in college and church discussion groups. Issues are presented from a perspective that evangelical Protestants can appreciate. By not taking a stand in the end, the book leaves students free to adopt their own reconciliation of science with religion in the light of greater understanding of the alternatives.

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